Last week, the legislature managed to pass the ETF budget (which awaits the Governor’s signature). It also managed to enact HB308, which provides for sports and local boards of education to develop policy regarding concussions. It also mandates that youth athletes with concussions or head injuries, be prohibited from participation in practice or athletic games for certain number of days.

HB670, the Farm to School Procurement Act, is awaiting the Governor’s signature, as is SB191, the Lieutenant Dexter Holcomb Act, which mandates school bus drivers be physically suited to drive a bus. SB30, which creates a statewide internet-accessible database for bids or proposals for contracts, also awaits the Governor’s signature.

Looking at the calendars for the House and for the Senate, of the bills left on the table, the following are the only ones that appear to have a chance of getting passed before time runs out:

On the Senate calendar:

HB251 – Allows for the appropriation of the full $5,000 stipend for teachers who have achieved certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Not sure why this one is still on the table, as SB143 has been enacted, and it provided for the same monetary amount. SB143 also added elementary and secondary principals who have achieved certification to be awarded the same annual stipend.

HB229 – Prohibits the use of cell phones or other wireless devices by school bus drivers.

HB136 – Increases the threshold from $50,000 to $75,000 annual salary for public employees required to file Statement of Economic Interests.

HB398 – Provides for allowance of student who leaves school (a.k.a., drops out of school) to obtain driver’s license if employed for 30 hours per week; mandates notice by Dept of Public Safety of current requirements to each Superintendent.

HB504 – Extends exemption for local boards of education from using the bid process when utilizing national cooperative purchasing programs.

HB165 – Mandates that the state department of education provide electronic textbooks for grades 9-12.

On the House calendar:

SB412 – The Kyle Grady Act; would permit students to possess and self-inject with auto-injectable epinephrine.

So many bills never got considered, but that really is no different from most legislative sessions. Everyone brings their ideas to the table….some get serious consideration, some don’t.

Many will have opinions and facts to share about what this legislature accomplished with this session. Look for a post here some time next week judging the winners and losers of this year’s session.

The ETF budget will be broken down for digesting once the Governor signs it into law.

All past editions available on Storify at https://storify.com/ALSchoolConnect

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